The Decorah Community School District Foundation brings donors and students together through the administration of scholarship awards for post-secondary education.  It has been our honor and privilege to have awarded hundreds of thousands in grants and scholarships to well over 3,000 Decorah Students since we began in 1991. The DCSD Foundation is a locally managed and supported foundation operated by a volunteer community Board of Directors. 
 
More information about the Foundation’s work can be located here:
 
 

2023 -2024 Foundation Board Members

  • Karen Berland
  • Jana Evelsizer Olson
  • Heidi Ludeking
  • Bryan Panos
  • Miriam Skrade
  • Brigit Storhoff
  • John Wilmes
  • Andrew Wood
  • Carole Sand
  • John Vogel
  • Amanda Huinker
  • Courtney Bentley
  • Heather Cote

Decorah Community School District Foundation
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah Iowa 52101
563-382-4208 
Foundation@decorah.school


Foundation Scholarships

Through the generosity and support of individuals, organizations, and businesses, the Decorah Community School District Foundation has had the honor and privilege of awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to well over 1000 Decorah High School graduates pursuing a post-secondary education.

The DCSD Foundation is a Dollars for Scholars affiliate.  This website is now available to Decorah students with national scholarship opportunities as well as the local scholarship awards given directly through the DCSD Foundation each year. 

Students are invited to log into the Dollars for Scholars link above to begin their personal profiles and launch their scholarship application process.


Educational Projects and Programs

ExCel Endowments

Beginning in 2001, these grants are awarded to 6th through 11th grade students, and provide them stipends for academic, technical, and arts-related opportunities that are not available through the district’s regular academic and cultural programs. Often these are summer programs such as Music or Language Camps, Writing Workshops, and Science, Engineering and Technology Programs. 

ExCel Grant Information and Criteria Sheet
ExCel Online Application
Criteria and Camp Suggestions by Decorah Students

Russ Freerking Spanish Study Grant

This is an endowed scholarship created by DHS alumnus David Anderson that is awarded to a DHS student or recent graduate who is enrolled in an immersion experience in a Spanish speaking country. 

Russ Freerking Spanish Study Grant Information and Criteria Sheet
Freerking Online Application

Faculty Development Award

An endowed scholarship granted to a faculty member of the Decorah Community School District for work toward an advanced degree. 

Faculty Development Information
Faculty Development Application